Diverter baffle for a blower

ABSTRACT

A discharge section of a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system, includes a first wall defining an opening configured to receive an air flow from a blower of the HVAC system, a second wall spaced apart from and disposed opposite the first wall, and a diverter baffle disposed at an oblique angle relative to the first wall and the second wall and configured to divert the air flow received through the opening.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from and the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/810,822, entitled “DIVERTER BAFFLEFOR A BLOWER,” filed Feb. 26, 2019, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to a heating, ventilation,and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system and, more particularly, to adiverter baffle for a blower of the HVAC system.

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects ofart that may be related to various aspects of the present techniques,which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed tobe helpful in providing the reader with background information tofacilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statementsare to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

An HVAC system may be used to thermally regulate an environment, such asthe interior space of a building, home, or other structure. The HVACsystem generally includes a vapor compression system having heatexchangers, such as a condenser and an evaporator, which cooperate totransfer thermal energy between the HVAC system and the environment. Insome instances, the HVAC system includes a blower that forces air over aheat exchanger. For example, the blower may be configured to force airacross or through the heat exchanger. In some instances, the blower maynot be configured to force air directly across or through the heatexchanger. Instead, the blower may be positioned to output an air flowthat impinges against a wall or other panel of an HVAC system before theair is directed across or through the heat exchanger, which may inhibitblower performance and/or may reduce efficiency of air flow through theHVAC system.

SUMMARY

A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. Itshould be understood that these aspects are presented merely to providethe reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and thatthese aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.Indeed, this disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may notbe set forth below.

In one embodiment, a discharge section of a heating, ventilation, and/orair conditioning (HVAC) system, includes a first wall defining anopening configured to receive an air flow from a blower of the HVACsystem, a second wall spaced apart from and disposed opposite the firstwall, and a diverter baffle disposed at an oblique angle relative to thefirst wall and the second wall and configured to divert the air flowreceived through the opening.

In another embodiment, a heating section of a heating, ventilation,and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a first wall defining anopening configured to receive an air flow from a blower of the HVACsystem, a second wall spaced apart from and disposed opposite the firstwall, and a diverter baffle including a first end coupled to the firstwall and a second end coupled to the second wall. The first end isoffset from the opening and the second end is substantially aligned withthe opening relative to the air flow through the opening.

In yet another embodiment, a discharge section of a heating,ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a first walldefining an opening having a central axis, a second wall spaced apartfrom and disposed opposite the first wall, and a diverter baffleextending from the first wall to the second wall. The opening of thefirst wall is configured to receive an air flow from a blower of theHVAC system along an air flow path having a portion extending along thecentral axis. The diverter baffle is disposed at an oblique anglerelative to the first wall and the second wall, and the diverter baffleextends into the portion of the air flow path to redirect the air flow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of the present disclosure may be better understood uponreading the following detailed description and upon reference to thedrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a heating, ventilation,and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system for building environmentalmanagement that may employ one or more HVAC units, in accordance with anaspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a packaged HVAC unit,in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a residential, splitHVAC system, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic of an embodiment of a vapor compression systemthat may be used in an HVAC system, in accordance with an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a discharge section anda blower section of an HVAC system, in accordance with an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a discharge section anda blower section of an HVAC system, in accordance with an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a side view of an embodiment of a discharge section and ablower section of an HVAC system, in accordance with an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a side view of an embodiment of a discharge section and ablower section of an HVAC system, in accordance with an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a top view of an embodiment of a discharge section and ablower section of an HVAC system, in accordance with an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a discharge sectionand a blower section of an HVAC system, in accordance with an aspect ofthe present disclosure; and

FIG. 11 is a top view of an embodiment of a discharge section and ablower section of an HVAC system, in accordance with an aspect of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed below. These described embodiments are only examples of thepresently disclosed techniques. Additionally, in an effort to provide aconcise description of these embodiments, all features of an actualimplementation may not be described in the specification. It should beappreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation,as in any engineering or design project, numerousimplementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve thedevelopers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a developmenteffort might be complex and time consuming, but may nevertheless be aroutine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those ofordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

When introducing elements of various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean thatthere are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,”“including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean thatthere may be additional elements other than the listed elements.Additionally, it should be understood that references to “oneembodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are notintended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additionalembodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

Generally, a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) systemmay control climate conditions, such as temperature and/or humidity,within a building or other conditioned space. The HVAC system mayinclude a blower(s) and/or other mechanisms configured to force or drawair through the HVAC system to control the temperature and the humidity.For example, the blower may move air from one section of the HVAC systemto another section of the HVAC system. Additionally, the blower may movethe air toward a heat exchanger of the HVAC system. For example, ablower section including the blower may receive an air flow from anothersection, such as a section including an evaporator or a condenser. Theblower may move the air from the blower section to a heating section, adischarge section, and/or another section of the HVAC system.

In some instances, the blower may force the air directly toward the heatexchanger and/or toward another component of the HVAC system, such as awall of an adjacent section. For example, the wall may be generallyperpendicular to the flow path of the air from the blower, the blowermay direct the air to impinge against the wall, and the air may then bedirected in multiple directions by the wall. For example, the wall maydirect the air away from the heat exchanger disposed adjacent to thewall and/or elsewhere within the section formed by the wall. As such,forcing the air flow onto the wall may inhibit heating of the air flowwithin a heating section, may inhibit blower performance, and/or mayreduce efficiency of air flow through the HVAC system. It is nowrecognized that inclusion of a diverter baffle configured to moreacutely direct the air flow toward the heat exchanger and/or an outletof the section may improve blower operation, air flow through the HVACsystem, and efficiency of the HVAC system.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides systems including adiverter baffle configured to divert an air flow, such as the air flowoutput by a blower of the HVAC system. As discussed in detail below, thedisclosed techniques enable the HVAC system to efficiently direct theair flow through a heating section and/or a discharge section, in someembodiments. For example, the diverter baffle may direct the air flowfrom the blower toward a heat exchanger disposed within a heatingsection and/or toward an opening configured to discharge the air flowfrom a discharge section. In so doing, the diverter baffle also improvesoperation of the blower. For example, the inclusion of the diverterbaffle may enable the blower to utilize less power to achieve a desiredlevel of air flow. As such, the systems described herein improve airflow through the HVAC system and increase efficient operation of theHVAC system.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of aheating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system forenvironmental management that may employ one or more HVAC units. As usedherein, an HVAC system includes any number of components configured toenable regulation of parameters related to climate characteristics, suchas temperature, humidity, air flow, pressure, air quality, and so forth.For example, an “HVAC system” as used herein is defined asconventionally understood and as further described herein. Components orparts of an “HVAC system” may include, but are not limited to, all, someof, or individual parts such as a heat exchanger, a heater, an air flowcontrol device, such as a fan, a sensor configured to detect a climatecharacteristic or operating parameter, a filter, a control deviceconfigured to regulate operation of an HVAC system component, acomponent configured to enable regulation of climate characteristics, ora combination thereof. An “HVAC system” is a system configured toprovide such functions as heating, cooling, ventilation,dehumidification, pressurization, refrigeration, filtration, or anycombination thereof. The embodiments described herein may be utilized ina variety of applications to control climate characteristics, such asresidential, commercial, industrial, transportation, or otherapplications where climate control is desired.

In the illustrated embodiment, a building 10 is air conditioned by asystem that includes an HVAC unit 12. The building 10 may be acommercial structure or a residential structure. As shown, the HVAC unit12 is disposed on the roof of the building 10; however, the HVAC unit 12may be located in other equipment rooms or areas adjacent the building10. The HVAC unit 12 may be a single package unit containing otherequipment, such as a blower, integrated air handler, and/or auxiliaryheating unit. In other embodiments, the HVAC unit 12 may be part of asplit HVAC system, such as the system shown in FIG. 3, which includes anoutdoor HVAC unit 58 and an indoor HVAC unit 56.

In any case, the HVAC unit 12 may be an air cooled device thatimplements a refrigeration cycle to provide conditioned air to thebuilding 10. For example, the HVAC unit 12 may include one or more heatexchangers across which an air flow is passed to condition the air flowbefore the air flow is supplied to the building. In the illustratedembodiment, the HVAC unit 12 is a rooftop unit (RTU) that conditions asupply air stream, such as environmental air and/or a return air flowfrom the building 10. After the air is conditioned, the HVAC unit 12 maysupply the conditioned air to the building 10 via ductwork 14 extendingthroughout the building 10 from the HVAC unit 12. For example, theductwork 14 may extend to various individual floors or other sections ofthe building 10. In some embodiments, the HVAC unit 12 may include aheat pump that provides both heating and cooling to the building 10, forexample, with one refrigeration circuit implemented to operate inmultiple different modes. In other embodiments, the HVAC unit 12 mayinclude one or more refrigeration circuits for cooling an air stream anda furnace for heating the air stream.

A control device 16, one type of which may be a thermostat, may be usedto designate the temperature of the conditioned air. The control device16 also may be used to control the flow of air through the ductwork 14.For example, the control device 16 may be used to regulate operation ofone or more components of the HVAC unit 12 or other equipment, such asdampers and fans, within the building 10 that may control flow of airthrough and/or from the ductwork 14. In some embodiments, other devicesmay be included in the system, such as pressure and/or temperaturetransducers or switches that sense the temperatures and pressures of thesupply air, return air, and/or the like. Moreover, the control device 16may include computer systems that are integrated with or separate fromother building control or monitoring systems, and even systems that areremote from the building 10. In some embodiments, the HVAC unit 12 mayoperate in multiple zones of the building and may be coupled to multiplecontrol devices that each control flow of air in a respective zone. Forexample, a first control device 16 may control the flow of air in afirst zone 17 of the building, a second control device 18 may controlthe flow of air in a second zone 19 of the building, and a third controldevice 20 may control the flow of air in a third zone 21 of thebuilding.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the HVAC unit 12. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the HVAC unit 12 is a single package unitthat may include one or more independent refrigeration circuits andcomponents that are tested, charged, wired, piped, and ready forinstallation. The HVAC unit 12 may provide a variety of heating and/orcooling functions, such as cooling only, heating only, cooling withelectric heat, cooling with dehumidification, cooling with gas heat, orcooling with a heat pump. As described above, the HVAC unit 12 maydirectly cool and/or heat an air stream provided to the building 10 tocondition a space in the building 10.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, a cabinet 24 orenclosure encloses the HVAC unit 12 and provides structural support andprotection to the internal components from environmental and othercontaminants. In some embodiments, the cabinet 24 may be constructed ofgalvanized steel and insulated with aluminum foil faced insulation.Rails 26 may be joined to the bottom perimeter of the cabinet 24 andprovide a foundation for the HVAC unit 12. In certain embodiments, therails 26 may provide access for a forklift and/or overhead rigging tofacilitate installation and/or removal of the HVAC unit 12. In someembodiments, the rails 26 may fit into “curbs” on the roof to enable theHVAC unit 12 to provide air to the ductwork 14 from the bottom of theHVAC unit 12 while blocking elements such as rain from leaking into thebuilding 10.

The HVAC unit 12 includes heat exchangers 28 and 30 in fluidcommunication with one or more refrigeration circuits. Tubes within theheat exchangers 28 and 30 may circulate refrigerant, such as R-410A,through the heat exchangers 28 and 30. The tubes may be of varioustypes, such as multichannel tubes, conventional copper or aluminumtubing, and so forth. Together, the heat exchangers 28 and 30 mayimplement a thermal cycle in which the refrigerant undergoes phasechanges and/or temperature changes as it flows through the heatexchangers 28 and 30 to produce heated and/or cooled air. For example,the heat exchanger 28 may function as a condenser where heat is releasedfrom the refrigerant to ambient air, and the heat exchanger 30 mayfunction as an evaporator where the refrigerant absorbs heat to cool anair stream. In other embodiments, the HVAC unit 12 may operate in a heatpump mode where the roles of the heat exchangers 28 and 30 may bereversed. That is, the heat exchanger 28 may function as an evaporatorand the heat exchanger 30 may function as a condenser. In furtherembodiments, the HVAC unit 12 may include a furnace for heating the airstream that is supplied to the building 10. While the illustratedembodiment of FIG. 2 shows the HVAC unit 12 having two of the heatexchangers 28 and 30, in other embodiments, the HVAC unit 12 may includeone heat exchanger or more than two heat exchangers.

The heat exchanger 30 is located within a compartment 31 that separatesthe heat exchanger 30 from the heat exchanger 28. Fans 32 draw air fromthe environment through the heat exchanger 28. Air may be heated and/orcooled as the air flows through the heat exchanger 28 before beingreleased back to the environment surrounding the HVAC unit 12. A blowerassembly 34, powered by a motor 36, draws air through the heat exchanger30 to heat or cool the air. The heated or cooled air may be directed tothe building 10 by the ductwork 14, which may be connected to the HVACunit 12. Before flowing through the heat exchanger 30, the conditionedair flows through one or more filters 38 that may remove particulatesand contaminants from the air. In certain embodiments, the filters 38may be disposed on the air intake side of the heat exchanger 30 toprevent contaminants from contacting the heat exchanger 30.

The HVAC unit 12 also may include other equipment for implementing thethermal cycle. Compressors 42 increase the pressure and temperature ofthe refrigerant before the refrigerant enters the heat exchanger 28. Thecompressors 42 may be any suitable type of compressors, such as scrollcompressors, rotary compressors, screw compressors, or reciprocatingcompressors. In some embodiments, the compressors 42 may include a pairof hermetic direct drive compressors arranged in a dual stageconfiguration 44. However, in other embodiments, any number of thecompressors 42 may be provided to achieve various stages of heatingand/or cooling. As may be appreciated, additional equipment and devicesmay be included in the HVAC unit 12, such as a solid-core filter drier,a drain pan, a disconnect switch, an economizer, pressure switches,phase monitors, and humidity sensors, among other things.

The HVAC unit 12 may receive power through a terminal block 46. Forexample, a high voltage power source may be connected to the terminalblock 46 to power the equipment. The operation of the HVAC unit 12 maybe governed or regulated by a control board or controller 48. Thecontrol board 48 may include control circuitry connected to athermostat, sensors, and alarms. One or more of these components may bereferred to herein separately or collectively as the control device 16.The control circuitry may be configured to control operation of theequipment, provide alarms, and monitor safety switches. Wiring 49 mayconnect the control board 48 and the terminal block 46 to the equipmentof the HVAC unit 12.

FIG. 3 illustrates a residential heating and cooling system 50, also inaccordance with present techniques. The residential heating and coolingsystem 50 may provide heated and cooled air to a residential structure,as well as provide outside air for ventilation and provide improvedindoor air quality (IAQ) through devices such as ultraviolet lights andair filters. In the illustrated embodiment, the residential heating andcooling system 50 is a split HVAC system. In general, a residence 52conditioned by a split HVAC system may include refrigerant conduits 54that operatively couple the indoor unit 56 to the outdoor unit 58. Theindoor unit 56 may be positioned in a utility room, an attic, abasement, and so forth. The outdoor unit 58 is typically situatedadjacent to a side of residence 52 and is covered by a shroud to protectthe system components and to prevent leaves and other debris orcontaminants from entering the unit. The refrigerant conduits 54transfer refrigerant between the indoor unit 56 and the outdoor unit 58,typically transferring primarily liquid refrigerant in one direction andprimarily vaporized refrigerant in an opposite direction.

When the system shown in FIG. 3 is operating as an air conditioner, aheat exchanger 60 in the outdoor unit 58 serves as a condenser forre-condensing vaporized refrigerant flowing from the indoor unit 56 tothe outdoor unit 58 via one of the refrigerant conduits 54. In theseapplications, a heat exchanger 62 of the indoor unit 56 functions as anevaporator. Specifically, the heat exchanger 62 receives liquidrefrigerant, which may be expanded by an expansion device, andevaporates the refrigerant before returning it to the outdoor unit 58.

The outdoor unit 58 draws environmental air through the heat exchanger60 using a fan 64 and expels the air above the outdoor unit 58. Whenoperating as an air conditioner, the air is heated by the heat exchanger60 within the outdoor unit 58 and exits the unit at a temperature higherthan it entered. The indoor unit 56 includes a blower or fan 66 thatdirects air through or across the indoor heat exchanger 62, where theair is cooled when the system is operating in air conditioning mode.Thereafter, the air is passed through ductwork 68 that directs the airto the residence 52. The overall system operates to maintain a desiredtemperature as set by a system controller. When the temperature sensedinside the residence 52 is higher than the set point on the thermostat,or a set point plus a small amount, the residential heating and coolingsystem 50 may become operative to refrigerate additional air forcirculation through the residence 52. When the temperature reaches theset point, or a set point minus a small amount, the residential heatingand cooling system 50 may stop the refrigeration cycle temporarily.

The residential heating and cooling system 50 may also operate as a heatpump. When operating as a heat pump, the roles of heat exchangers 60 and62 are reversed. That is, the heat exchanger 60 of the outdoor unit 58will serve as an evaporator to evaporate refrigerant and thereby coolair entering the outdoor unit 58 as the air passes over outdoor the heatexchanger 60. The indoor heat exchanger 62 will receive a stream of airblown over it and will heat the air by condensing the refrigerant.

In some embodiments, the indoor unit 56 may include a furnace system 70.For example, the indoor unit 56 may include the furnace system 70 whenthe residential heating and cooling system 50 is not configured tooperate as a heat pump. The furnace system 70 may include a burnerassembly and heat exchanger, among other components, inside the indoorunit 56. Fuel is provided to the burner assembly of the furnace system70 where it is mixed with air and combusted to form combustion products.The combustion products may pass through tubes or piping in a heatexchanger, separate from heat exchanger 62, such that air directed bythe blower 66 passes over the tubes or pipes and extracts heat from thecombustion products. The heated air may then be routed from the furnacesystem 70 to the ductwork 68 for heating the residence 52.

FIG. 4 is an embodiment of a vapor compression system 72 that may beused in any of the systems described above. The vapor compression system72 may circulate a refrigerant through a circuit starting with acompressor 74. The circuit may also include a condenser 76, an expansionvalve(s) or device(s) 78, and an evaporator 80. The vapor compressionsystem 72 may further include a control panel 82 that has an analog todigital (A/D) converter 84, a microprocessor 86, a non-volatile memory88, and/or an interface board 90. The control panel 82 and itscomponents may function to regulate operation of the vapor compressionsystem 72 based on feedback from an operator, from sensors of the vaporcompression system 72 that detect operating conditions, and so forth.

In some embodiments, the vapor compression system 72 may use one or moreof a variable speed drive (VSDs) 92, a motor 94, the compressor 74, thecondenser 76, the expansion valve or device 78, and/or the evaporator80. The motor 94 may drive the compressor 74 and may be powered by thevariable speed drive (VSD) 92. The VSD 92 receives alternating current(AC) power having a particular fixed line voltage and fixed linefrequency from an AC power source, and provides power having a variablevoltage and frequency to the motor 94. In other embodiments, the motor94 may be powered directly from an AC or direct current (DC) powersource. The motor 94 may include any type of electric motor that may bepowered by a VSD or directly from an AC or DC power source, such as aswitched reluctance motor, an induction motor, an electronicallycommutated permanent magnet motor, or another suitable motor.

The compressor 74 compresses a refrigerant vapor and delivers the vaporto the condenser 76 through a discharge passage. In some embodiments,the compressor 74 may be a centrifugal compressor. The refrigerant vapordelivered by the compressor 74 to the condenser 76 may transfer heat toa fluid passing across the condenser 76, such as ambient orenvironmental air 96. The refrigerant vapor may condense to arefrigerant liquid in the condenser 76 as a result of thermal heattransfer with the environmental air 96. The liquid refrigerant from thecondenser 76 may flow through the expansion device 78 to the evaporator80.

The liquid refrigerant delivered to the evaporator 80 may absorb heatfrom another air stream, such as a supply air stream 98 provided to thebuilding 10 or the residence 52. For example, the supply air stream 98may include ambient or environmental air, return air from a building, ora combination of the two. The liquid refrigerant in the evaporator 80may undergo a phase change from the liquid refrigerant to a refrigerantvapor. In this manner, the evaporator 80 may reduce the temperature ofthe supply air stream 98 via thermal heat transfer with the refrigerant.Thereafter, the vapor refrigerant exits the evaporator 80 and returns tothe compressor 74 by a suction line to complete the cycle.

In some embodiments, the vapor compression system 72 may further includea reheat coil in addition to the evaporator 80. For example, the reheatcoil may be positioned downstream of the evaporator relative to thesupply air stream 98 and may reheat the supply air stream 98 when thesupply air stream 98 is overcooled to remove humidity from the supplyair stream 98 before the supply air stream 98 is directed to thebuilding 10 or the residence 52.

It should be appreciated that any of the features described herein maybe incorporated with the HVAC unit 12, the residential heating andcooling system 50, or other HVAC systems. Additionally, while thefeatures disclosed herein are described in the context of embodimentsthat directly heat and cool a supply air stream provided to a buildingor other load, embodiments of the present disclosure may be applicableto other HVAC systems as well. For example, the features describedherein may be applied to mechanical cooling systems, free coolingsystems, chiller systems, or other heat pump or refrigerationapplications.

The description above with reference to FIGS. 1-4 is intended to beillustrative of the context of the present disclosure. The techniques ofthe present disclosure may be incorporated with any or all of thefeatures described above. In particular, as will be discussed in moredetail below, the present disclosure provides techniques that enable anHVAC system to more efficiently direct an air flow. For example, theHVAC system may include a diverter baffle configured to direct the airflow toward a heat exchanger and/or an opening of the HVAC system.

To help illustrate, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an HVAC system 100including a discharge section 102 and a blower section 104. Theillustrated HVAC system 100 may include embodiments or components of theHVAC unit 12 shown in FIG. 1, embodiments or components of theresidential heating and cooling system 50 shown in FIG. 3, a rooftopunit (RTU), or any other suitable HVAC system. For example, thedischarge section 102 and the blower section 104 may be sections of anembodiment of the HVAC unit 12. The blower section 104 is configured toreceive an air flow from another portion of the HVAC system 100, such asanother section of the HVAC unit 12. For example, the blower section 104may receive an air flow, as indicated by arrow 106, from another sectionconfigured to heat and/or cool the air flow, such as a section includingan evaporator, a condenser, and/or another type of heat exchanger. Theblower section 104 is configured to direct the air into the dischargesection 102, which is configured to heat, cool, and/or discharge the airflow received from the blower section 104. For example, the dischargesection 102 may discharge the air flow into ductwork or other conduitconfigured to direct the air flow toward a space conditioned by the HVACsystem 100.

The blower section 104 includes a blower 108, such as a supply blower,configured to direct air from the blower section 104 into the dischargesection 102, as indicated by arrow 110. In certain embodiments, theblower section 104 and/or the discharge section 102 may include anopening through which the air flow may be directed by the blower 108.For example, a wall or panel separating the discharge section 102 fromthe blower section 104 may define an opening within which an outlet ofthe blower 108 is positioned. As illustrated, the blower 108 is aforward curved fan configured to direct air into the discharge section102. In some embodiments, the blower 108 may be a plenum fan or anothertype of fan/blower configured to direct air from the blower section 104to the discharge section 102. Additionally or alternatively, the blowersection 104 may include additional blowers, a blower assembly includingmultiple blowers, and/or other components, such as heat exchangers.

The discharge section 102 includes a diverter baffle 112 disposed withinthe discharge section 102 and generally adjacent to an outlet of theblower 108. For example, the diverter baffle 112 may be disposedadjacent to the opening in the panel or wall separating the blowersection 104 and of the discharge section 102. As air flow is directedinto the discharge section 102, as indicated by arrow 110, the diverterbaffle 112 is configured to direct the air flow within the dischargesection 102, as indicated by arrow 114. For example, arrow 110 may be anaxis along which air flow is directed into the discharge section 102 bythe blower 108. As shown, the diverter baffle 112 intersects the axisrepresented by arrow 110 to divert the air flow. In the illustratedembodiment, the diverter baffle 112 is configured to direct the air flowdownwardly toward a heater 116, such as heat exchange tubes of theheater 116, disposed below the diverter baffle 112 and within thedischarge section 102. In some embodiments, the diverter baffle 112 maybe configured to direct the air flow toward a side of the dischargesection 102, upwardly within the discharge section 102, or in any othersuitable direction. As will be appreciated, the heater 116 is configuredto heat the air within the discharge section 102 that is directed by thediverter baffle 112. For example, the heater 116 may be a gas heater oran electric heater. As such, the discharge section 102 is also a heatingsection, in the illustrated embodiment of the HVAC system 100.

The diverter baffle 112 includes an angled panel 120 and a side panel122 coupled to one another. It should be noted that the angled panel 120may be a flat or generally planar panel that is positioned within thedischarge section 102 at an angle relative to the axis represented byarrow 110. In other words, the angled panel 120 is positioned within thedischarge section 102 at an angle relative to a horizontal plane. Asused herein, the term “planar” refers to a geometry that is generallyflat without pronounced bends, curves, or other undulations, but alsonot necessarily constrained by a mathematical or Euclidean plane. Theangled panel 120 is configured to direct air output by the blower 108downwardly toward the heater 116, as indicated by arrow 114 and, asdescribed in greater detail below, is disposed at an oblique anglerelative to walls of the discharge section 102. The side panel 122 isalso configured to direct air downwardly and toward the heater 116. Theside panel 122 in the illustrated embodiment is arranged generallyvertically within the discharge section 102. Additionally, inembodiments of the discharge section 102 having a side discharge outlet,the side panel 122 may direct the air toward an opening 130 of a sideplate 132 of the discharge section 102. For example, after passing overthe heater 116, the air may exit a side of the discharge section 102 viathe opening 130, as indicated by arrow 134. The side panel 122 isdisposed generally parallel to the side plate 132, such that the sidepanel 122 is configured to block air flow received from the blower 108from passing directly toward the side plate 132 without first passingacross the heater 116. In certain embodiments, the side panel 122 may bedisposed at an angle relative to the side plate 132 and may beconfigured to block the air flow received from the blower 108 frompassing directly toward the side plate 132 and to instead direct the airflow toward the opening 130 and/or across the heater 116.

As such, the diverter baffle 112 may improve an efficiency of the HVACsystem 100. For example, the diverter baffle 112 may be configured toguide more air flow directly toward the heater 116 compared to HVACsystems without a diverter baffle. The increase in air flow toward theheater 116 may increase heat transfer between the air flow and a workingfluid within the heater 116, thereby increasing a heating capacity ofthe HVAC system 100. The increase in air flow toward the heater 116 mayalso decrease the power and/or fuel used by the HVAC system 100 to heatthe air flow, may enable more efficient air flow through the HVAC system100, may reduce local hot spots within the HVAC system 100, or acombination thereof.

Additionally, the diverter baffle 112 may be configured to moreefficiently direct air flow from the blower 108 and toward an outlet ofthe discharge section 102, such as the opening 130. For example, inembodiments of the discharge section 102 with or without the heater 116,the diverter baffle 112 may be configured to more effectively direct theair flow toward an outlet of the discharge section 102 compared to HVACsystems without a diverter baffle. As such, the diverter baffle 112 mayenable a reduction in power utilized by the blower 108 to direct the airflow through the discharge section 102 and may effectuate an improvedefficiency of the blower 108. For example, the diverter baffle 112 mayeffectuate improved and/or more efficient air flow through dischargesection 102 and/or other sections of the HVAC system 100, such that thepower consumed by the blower 108 and/or by the HVAC system 100generally, is reduced by two percent to three percent. Additionally oralternatively, the diverter baffle 112 may improve air flow through theHVAC system by about eight percent.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the dischargesection 102 and the blower section 104 of the HVAC system 100. Asillustrated, the discharge section 102 includes a base plate 140disposed below the heater 116. The base plate 140 includes an opening142 configured to discharge air flow from the discharge section 102, asindicated by arrow 144. For example, the diverter baffle 112 may directair flow received from the blower 108 downwardly toward both the heater116 and the opening 142, as indicated by arrows 110 and 114, fordischarge from the discharge section 102. For example, the opening 142may fluidly couple the discharge section 102 with ductwork or otherconduit configured to direct air flow from the HVAC system 100 to aspace conditioned by the HVAC system 100. In certain embodiments, theheater 116 may be omitted from the discharge section 102, such that thediverter baffle 112 may direct the air flow received from the blower 108directly toward the opening 142. In some embodiments, the dischargesection 102 may include both the opening 130 of FIG. 5 and the opening142 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 is a side view of an embodiment of the discharge section 102 andthe blower section 104 of the HVAC system 100. As described above, theblower 108 is configured to direct an air flow received from anotherportion of the HVAC system 100, as indicated by arrow 106, from theblower section 104 and into the discharge section 102, as indicated byarrow 110. The diverter baffle 112 is configured to direct air flowtoward the heater 116 and toward the opening 130 and/or the opening 142,as indicated by arrow 114.

The discharge section 102 includes a wall 150 and a wall 152 disposedopposite and spaced apart from one another. The wall 150 separates thedischarge section 102 and the blower section 104. As illustrated, theblower 108 is mounted to the wall 150. The wall 150 includes/defines anopening 154 configured to enable discharge of air flow into thedischarge section 102 by the blower 108. For example, the opening 154may be generally the same width as an opening 156 of the blower 108. Insome embodiments, the arrow 110 may represent a central axis of theopening 154 and/or the opening 156, such that air flow directed throughthe opening 154 and the opening 156 flows along the central axis andtowards the angled panel 120 of the diverter baffle 112. The centralaxis of the opening 154 and/or the opening 156 may intersect the angledpanel 120 of the diverter baffle 112. In other words, the angled panel120 is positioned within a flow path of the air discharge by the blower108 into the discharge section 102. Additionally, the side panel 122 mayextend in a common direction and/or generally parallel to the centralaxis of the opening 154. In certain embodiments, the wall 152 may be ablast wall against which the air flow directed into the dischargesection 102 by the blower 108 may impinge.

Each of the angled panel 120 and the side panel 122 of the diverterbaffle 112 extend from the wall 150 to the wall 152. Additionally, theangled panel 120 is disposed at angle 158 relative to the wall 150. Inother words, the angle 158 is measured with reference to a generallyvertical plane. The angled panel 120 disposed at the angle 158 enablesthe diverter baffle 112 to direct the air flow received from the blower108 toward the heater 116 and toward the opening 130 and/or the opening142. The angle 158 may be any oblique angle that enables the diverterbaffle 112 to direct the air flow toward the heater 116 and toward theopening 130 and/or the opening 142. For example, the angle 158 may beany angle between one degree and eighty-nine degrees, between fivedegrees and eighty-five degrees, between fifteen degrees andseventy-five degrees, between forty-five degrees and seventy-fivedegrees, between twenty-five degrees and sixty-five degrees, betweenthirty-five degrees and fifty-five degrees, or any other suitable angle.

As illustrated, the angle 158 between the angled panel 120 and the wall150 is constant, such that the angled panel 120 is generally planar. Incertain embodiments, the angle 158 may vary, such that the angled panel120 is curved. For example, the angle 158 may increase as the angledpanel 120 extends further from the wall 150, and the angled panel 120may curve downwardly toward the base plate 140. In certain embodiments,the angle 158 may be seventy-five degrees at a first end 161 of theangled panel 120 adjacent to the wall 150 and one hundred five degreesat a second end 162 of the angled panel 120 adjacent to the wall 152. Asdescribed in greater detail below, the first end 161 is offset from theopening 130. Additionally, the second end 162 may be aligned orsubstantially aligned with the opening 130 such that a portion of theair flow received through the opening may contact the second end 162.

As described above, the diverter baffle 112 is configured to divert theair flow received from the blower 108, as indicated by arrow 110, towardthe heater 116 and toward the opening 130 and/or the opening 142, asindicated by arrow 114. An angle 159 between arrow 110 and arrow 114 maybe approximately ninety degrees, such that the air flow is directeddownwardly by the diverter baffle 112 at an approximately right angle.In certain embodiments, the angle 159 may be between eighty-five degreesand ninety degrees, between seventy-five degrees and one hundred fivedegrees, or between sixty degrees and one hundred twenty degrees.

Further, the diverter baffle 112 may substantially block the air flowfrom traveling into an area 160 on an opposite side of the diverterbaffle 112 relative to the heater 116 and the openings 130 and 142, aswell as to other portions of the discharge section 102. For example, thediverter baffle 112 may substantially reduce recirculation of the airinto the area 160 and/or into other portions of the discharge section102. In this manner, the diverter baffle 112 improves air flowefficiency within the discharge section 102 by more acutely directingthe air flow toward a discharge opening, such as opening 130 and/or 142,of the discharge section 102. Additionally, the diverter baffle 112effectuates an improved efficiency of the blower 108 by diverting anddirecting the air flow received from the blower 108.

FIG. 8 is a side view of an embodiment of the discharge section 102 andthe blower section 104 of the HVAC system 100. As described above, theangled panel 120 and the side panel 122 of the diverter baffle 112 areconfigured to direct air flow received from the blower 108 toward theheater 116 and toward the opening 130 and/or the opening 142, asindicated by arrow 114. As illustrated, the arrow 114 includes a firstportion 170 on an opposite side of the side panel 122 and a secondportion 172 below the diverter baffle 112. The air flow directed by theangled panel 120 and the side panel 122 may first be directed downwardlytoward the heater 116 and toward the opening 130 and/or the opening 142,as indicated by the first portion 170. After passing by the side panel122, the air flow may disperse beyond the diverter baffle 112 and alongthe discharge section 102, such as over the heater 116 and toward theside plate 132, as indicated by the second portion 172. As such, theside panel 122 may enable the diverter baffle 112 to direct the air flowtoward the heater 116 and toward the opening 130 and/or the opening 142prior to dispersion along the discharge section 102.

As illustrated, the diverter baffle 112 extends between the wall 150 andthe wall 152 and includes a height 174 generally parallel to the wall150 and the wall 152 and a length 176 generally parallel to the baseplate 140. Additionally, the opening 154 of the wall 150 and the opening156 of the blower 108 extend a height 178 along the wall 150. Further,the diverter baffle 112 is coupled to the wall 150 at a location that isoffset from the blower 108, such as at the first end 161, by an offsetdistance 180. As illustrated, the height 174 of the diverter baffle 112overlaps a majority of the height 178, such that the angled panel 120 ofthe diverter baffle 112 is configured to intersect and divert a majorityof the air flow exiting the blower 108. In certain embodiments, theangled panel 120 may intersect and divert an entire amount of air flowexiting the blower 108, half an amount of the air flow exiting theblower 108, or less than half an amount of the air flow exiting theblower 108. The offset distance 180 of the attachment point of diverterbaffle 112 from the blower 108 enables the diverter baffle 112 to blockair flow exiting the blower 108 from circulating into the area 160, suchas the area above the diverter baffle 112. The length 176 may be equalto a length of the base plate 140 such that the diverter baffle extendsthe entire length of the discharge section 102 between the wall 150 andthe wall 152.

FIG. 9 is a top view of an embodiment of the discharge section 102 andthe blower section 104 of the HVAC system 100. The diverter baffle 112extends a width 190 along the wall 150, within the discharge section102, and transverse to a direction of the air flow, as indicated byarrow 110. The blower 108, such as an outlet of the blower 108, extendsa width 192 along the wall 150, within the blower section 104, andtransverse to a direction of the air flow, as indicated by arrow 110. Asillustrated, the width 190 of the diverter baffle 112 is greater thanthe width 192 of the blower 108, which enables the diverter baffle 112to divert and direct a majority of air flow received from the blower108. In some embodiments, the width 190 of the diverter baffle 112 maybe equal to the width 192 of the blower 108 to enable the diverterbaffle 112 to divert and direct a majority of air flow received from theblower 108. Alternatively, the width 190 of the diverter baffle 112 maybe equal to a width 194 of the wall 150 to enable the diverter baffle112 to divert and direct a majority of air flow received from the blower108. In some embodiments, the width 194 may be a width of the base plate140.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the discharge section102 and the blower section 104 of the HVAC system 100. As illustrated,the blower section 104 includes a blower assembly 200 having two blowers202, such as supply blowers, operationally coupled to one another via acommon shaft 204. Each blower 202 may be coupled to the wall 150 thatseparates the discharge section 102 from the blower section 104. Incertain embodiments, the blower section 104 and/or the discharge section102 may include two openings through which the air flow may be directedby the blowers 202. For example, the wall 150 may have two openings. Anoutlet of each blower 202 may be positioned within a respective openingsuch that each blower 202 may direct air flow through the respectiveopening and into the discharge section 102. In some embodiments, theblower assembly 200 may be coupled to a single opening of the wall 150such that the blowers 202 are configured to direct air flow through thesingle opening.

Additionally, the common shaft 204 may be coupled to a motor of the HVACsystem 100 and may be configured to rotate to cause the blowers 202 todirect air from the blower section 104 and into the discharge section102. For example, after receiving the air flow from another portion ofthe HVAC system, as indicated by arrow 106, the blower assembly 200 maydirect the air flow into the discharge section 102, as indicated byarrows 110. The diverter baffle 112 is configured to divert and directthe air flow received from the blowers 202 toward the heater 116 andtoward the opening 130 and/or an alternate opening disposed below theheater 116. The air flow may then exit the opening 130, as indicated byarrow 134, or may exit the alternate opening below the heater 116. Assuch, the diverter baffle 112 may effectuate an improved efficiency ofthe blower assembly 200 and the HVAC system 100 generally by divertingand directing the air flow received from the blowers 202.

In certain embodiments, the HVAC system 100 may include two or morediverter baffles 112. For example, a first blower 202 may direct airthrough a first opening of the wall 150, and a first diverter baffle 112may divert and direct the air flow received from the first blower 202toward the heater 116 and toward the opening 130 and/or an alternateopening disposed below the heater 116. A second blower 202 may directair through a second opening of the wall 150, and a second diverterbaffle 112 may divert and direct the air flow received from the secondblower 202 toward the heater 116 and toward the opening 130 and/or analternate opening disposed below the heater 116. The two diverterbaffles 112 may be arranged adjacent to each other within the dischargesection 102 and positioned generally similarly to the illustrateddiverter baffle 112.

In some embodiments, the blower assembly 200 may include three or moreblowers 202 configured to direct air flow into the discharge section102. Each of the blowers 202 may be coupled to a respective opening ofthe discharge section 102, such as an opening within the wall 150, ormultiple blowers 202 may be coupled to a single opening. Further, theHVAC system 100 may include a respective diverter baffle 112 for each ofthe three or more blowers 202.

FIG. 11 is a top view of an embodiment of the discharge section 102 andthe blower section 104 of the HVAC system 100. The blower assembly 200extends a width 210 along the wall 150, within the blower section 104,and transverse to a direction of the air flow, as indicated by arrows110. The width 210 includes a respective width 212 of each blower 202,such as a width of an outlet of each blower 202, and a width 214 of thecommon shaft 204 extending between the two blowers 202. Additionally,the diverter baffle 112 extends the width 190 along the wall 150 andwithin the discharge section 102. As illustrated, the width 190 of thediverter baffle 112 is greater than the width 210 of the blower assembly200, which enables the diverter baffle 112 to divert and direct amajority of the air flow received from the blower assembly 200, asindicated by arrows 110. For example, the width 210 of the blowerassembly 200 may be generally equal to a width of a single openingthrough which the air flow may directed into the discharge section 102by the blower assembly 200. In certain embodiments, each blower 202 maydirect air flow through a respective opening of the wall 150 having awidth generally equal to the width 212. In some embodiments, the width190 of the diverter baffle 112 may be equal to the width 210 of theblower assembly 200 to enable the diverter baffle 112 to divert anddirect a majority of the air flow received from the blower assembly 200.Alternatively, the width 190 of the diverter baffle may be equal to thewidth 194 of the wall 150 to enable the diverter baffle 112 to divertand direct a majority of the air flow received from the blower assembly200.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides systems including adiverter baffle configured to divert an air flow, such as the air flowoutput by a blower of the HVAC system. The diverter baffle enables theHVAC system to efficiently direct the air flow through a heating sectionand/or a discharge section. For example, the diverter baffle may directthe air flow from the blower toward a heat exchanger disposed within aheating section and/or toward an opening configured to discharge the airflow from a discharge section. In so doing, the diverter baffle alsoimproves operation of the blower. For example, the inclusion of thediverter baffle may enable the blower to utilize less power to achieve adesired level of air flow. As such, the systems described herein improveair flow through the HVAC system and increase efficient operation of theHVAC system.

The techniques presented and claimed herein are referenced and appliedto material objects and concrete examples of a practical nature thatdemonstrably improve the present technical field and, as such, are notabstract, intangible or purely theoretical. Further, if any claimsappended to the end of this specification contain one or more elementsdesignated as “means for [perform]ing [a function]. . . ” or “step for[perform]ing [a function] . . . ”, it is intended that such elements areto be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claimscontaining elements designated in any other manner, it is intended thatsuch elements are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).

The specific embodiments described above have been shown by way ofexample, and it should be understood that these embodiments may besusceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. It should befurther understood that the claims are not intended to be limited to theparticular forms disclosed, but rather to cover all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope ofthis disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A discharge section of a heating, ventilation,and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising: a first wall definingan opening configured to receive an air flow from a blower of the HVACsystem; a second wall spaced apart from and disposed opposite the firstwall; and a diverter baffle disposed at an oblique angle relative to thefirst wall and the second wall and configured to divert the air flowreceived through the opening.
 2. The discharge section of claim 1,wherein the diverter baffle is planar.
 3. The discharge section of claim1, wherein the opening has a first width extending in a directiontransverse to a direction of the air flow, the diverter baffle has asecond width extending in the direction transverse to the direction ofthe air flow, and the second width is equal to or greater than the firstwidth.
 4. The discharge section of claim 1, comprising a base plateextending from the first wall to the second wall, wherein the base plateincludes an additional opening configured to discharge the air flow fromthe discharge section.
 5. The discharge section of claim 1, comprising aheater disposed along the air flow path, wherein the heater is a gasheater or an electric heater.
 6. The discharge section of claim 5,wherein the diverter baffle is configured to direct the air flow fromthe opening toward the heater.
 7. The discharge section of claim 1,comprising a side plate extending from the first wall to the secondwall, wherein the side plate includes an additional opening configuredto discharge the air flow from the discharge section.
 8. The dischargesection of claim 7, wherein the diverter baffle includes a side panelextending between the first wall and the second wall and is generallyparallel with the side plate.
 9. The discharge section of claim 8,wherein the side panel is configured to direct the air flow toward theadditional opening.
 10. The discharge section of claim 1, wherein theoblique angle is between forty-five degrees and seventy-five degreesrelative to the first wall.
 11. A heating section of a heating,ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising: a firstwall defining an opening configured to receive an air flow from a blowerof the HVAC system; a second wall spaced apart from and disposedopposite the first wall; and a diverter baffle including a first endcoupled to the first wall and a second end coupled to the second wall,wherein the first end is offset from the opening and the second end issubstantially aligned with the opening relative to the air flow throughthe opening.
 12. The heating section of claim 11, comprising: a baseplate extending from the first wall to the second wall; and a heaterdisposed between the diverter baffle and the base plate.
 13. The heatingsection of claim 12, wherein the diverter baffle is configured to directthe air flow from the opening toward the heater.
 14. The heating sectionof claim 12, wherein the diverter baffle has a first width extending ina direction transverse to a direction of the air flow, the base platehas a second width extending in the direction transverse to thedirection of the air flow, and the first width is equal to or less thanthe second width.
 15. The heating section of claim 11, wherein thediverter baffle is disposed at an angle relative to the first wall,wherein the angle is between forty-five degrees and seventy-fivedegrees.
 16. The heating section of claim 11, comprising the blower,wherein the blower is a first blower, and including a second blower,wherein the first blower and the second blower are coupled to the firstwall and are operationally coupled to one another via a common shaft.17. The heating section of claim 16, wherein the diverter baffle has afirst width extending in a direction transverse to the direction of theair flow, the first and second blowers have a total width extending inthe direction transverse to the direction of the air flow, and the firstwidth is equal to or greater than the total width.
 18. A dischargesection of a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC)system, comprising: a first wall defining an opening having a centralaxis, wherein the opening is configured to receive an air flow from ablower of the HVAC system along an air flow path having a portionextending along the central axis; a second wall spaced apart from anddisposed opposite the first wall; and a diverter baffle extending fromthe first wall to the second wall, wherein the diverter baffle isdisposed at an oblique angle relative to the first wall and the secondwall, and wherein the diverter baffle extends into the portion of theair flow path to redirect the air flow.
 19. The discharge section ofclaim 18, comprising a heater, wherein the diverter baffle is configuredto redirect the air flow toward the heater.
 20. The discharge section ofclaim 18, wherein the diverter baffle includes a side panel extendingfrom the first wall to the second wall, and the side panel extends in acommon direction with the central axis.
 21. The discharge section ofclaim 18, wherein the central axis of the opening intersects with aplanar portion of the diverter baffle.
 22. The discharge section ofclaim 18, wherein the diverter baffle is configured to reducerecirculation of the air flow within the discharge section and on a sideof the diverter baffle opposite the air flow path.
 23. The dischargesection of claim 18, wherein the opening has a first width extendingtransverse to the central axis, the diverter baffle has a second widthextending transverse to the central axis, and the first width is lessthan or equal to the second width.
 24. The discharge section of claim23, wherein the discharge section has a third width extending transverseto the central axis, and the second width is less than or equal to thethird width.